This casebook demonstrates how companies can design and execute corporate sustainability strategies into their overall business strategy to achieve sustainable transformation. It offers a set of case studies from different industrial sectors such as aerospace and defence, beauty, energy, engineering and construction, fashion retail, financial services, food and hospitality, life sciences, motorsports, pharmaceutical, software, toy production. Each story presents practical and concrete actions taken by companies to develop their sustainability strategies, as well as challenges and issues faced during the process. Concluding with best practices emerging from the cross-case analysis, this book is beneficial for sustainability and management professionals, students and scholars.
Author(s): Paolo Taticchi, Melissa Demartini, Melina Corvaglia-Charrey
Series: Springer Business Cases
Publisher: Springer
Year: 2023
Language: English
Pages: 176
City: Cham
Acknowledgements
Contents
About the Authors
1: The Way to a Sustainable Transformation of Business
References
2: ABN AMRO
Company Overview
Purpose and Values
Approach to Developing ABN AMRO’s Integrated Strategy
Three Key Pillars Guiding ABN AMRO’s Strategy
Sustainability as a Competitive Strategy
Approach to Reporting and the Triple Bottom Line
ABN AMRO Strategy and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
Engaging the Bank’s Partners and Suppliers
Performing a Stakeholder Analysis
The Evolution of ABN AMRO’s Sustainability Profile and Strategy
Approach to Education and Training
Incentives Linked to Sustainability Performance and Targets
Recognising Sustainability Champions
Industry Awards and Recognition
Approach to Communicating and Sharing the Bank’s Strategy and Journey
Challenges Along the Way and a Look Ahead
Sustainability Team Structure at ABN AMRO
3: Avon
Company Overview
A Company Driven by Its Purpose and Vision
Developing a Sustainability Strategy for the Future That Is Inspired by the Past
Sustainability and Competitive Strategy
The Evolution of Avon’s Sustainability Profile and Mindset
Engaging the Supply Chain
Approach to Engaging Stakeholders
The Importance of Innovation
A Sustainability Strategy Built on Two Key Pillars
Frameworks Used to Build Avon’s Sustainability Strategy
Approach to Training and Managing Sustainable Transformation
Approach to Reporting and Disclosure
Implementation and Management Incentives
Awards and Industry Recognition
Approach to Marketing and Communications
Sustainability Team Structure and Continuing Avon’s Legacy
4: Bayer AG
Company Overview
Purpose and Values
The Beginning of Bayer AG’s Sustainability Journey
Identifying and Addressing Challenges Along the Way
Approach to Implementing and Measuring Its Sustainability Strategy
Approach to Engaging Stakeholders and Identifying Key SDGs with a Materiality Assessment
Building a Competitive Advantage Through Sustainability
Bringing Suppliers Along on the Journey
Identifying Key Risks and Opportunities
A Top-Down and Bottom-Up Approach to Sustainable Transformation
Bayer AG’s Approach to Sustainability Reporting and Disclosure
How the Strategy Has Been Received So Far – And the Road Ahead
Sustainability Team Structure
5: Consilient Health
Company Overview
The Company’s Vision and Values
The Beginning of Consilient Health’s Sustainable Transformation Journey
Building the Business Case for a Sustainability Strategy
Consilient Health’s Approach to Sustainability Reporting and the Triple Bottom Line
Engaging the Supply Chain
Performing a Stakeholder and Industry Analysis
Identifying Risks and Opportunities
The Importance of Purpose-Driven Leadership to Guide the Way Forward
Framework and Foundation Used to Build the Strategy
Approach to Training and Engaging Employees
Awarding Sustainability Efforts and Achievements
Sharing Their Journey with Stakeholders
Time-Limited Challenges That Were Met Along the Way
Approach to Communications and Sharing Their Journey with Stakeholders
How the Journey Is Going
Sustainability Team Structure
6: Enel
Company Overview
An Energy Company Powered by Purpose
Sustainability-Driven Leadership and Organisational Structure
The Sustainability Structure and ESG Management at Enel
An Open Invitation to Address the SDGs Through Innovation and Collaboration
Enel’s Approach to Developing Its Sustainability Strategy
Conducting a Materiality Assessment with Key Stakeholders
Engaging and Supporting Suppliers and Local Communities Through Sustainable Transformation
The Evolution of Enel’s Sustainability Journey So Far
7: Formula E
Company Overview
Formula E’s Vision and Purpose
A Championship’s Approach to Developing a Sustainability Strategy
The Evolution of Formula E’s Sustainability Strategy (Then and Now)
Inviting Stakeholders to Join the Race
Engaging a Complex Supply Chain and Network
Leading the Industry with a Sustainability Strategy Built on Four Key Pillars
Environmental Excellence
Social Progress
Leadership and Innovation
Creating Value Through Values
Building Purpose-Driven Partnerships
Engaging and Inspiring a New Generation of Motorsport Fans
Fostering a Family Culture and Environment
Sustainability Reporting and Disclosure
Approach to Training and Educating
How the Strategy Has Been Received So Far
Industry Awards and Recognition
Approach to Marketing and Communications
Formula E’s Sustainability Champions Team
8: The LEGO Group
Company Overview
LEGO’s Purpose and Vision
The Company’s Four Purpose-Driven Promises
Approach to Building a Sustainability Strategy One LEGO Brick at a Time
Sustainability as a Competitive Strategy
The Evolution of the LEGO Group’s Sustainability Strategy and Journey
Approach to Reporting and the Triple Bottom Line
Engaging the Supply Chain
Approach to Identifying Risks and Opportunities
Engaging the Company’s Most Important Stakeholder – Children
Purpose-Driven Leadership and a Cultural Shift Towards Sustainability
Frameworks Leveraged to Build Its Sustainability Strategy
Training and Communicating the Company’s Sustainability Strategy to Employees
Sustainability Challenges and Steps Taken to Accelerate Change
Incentives and Industry Recognition
Sustainability-Focused Communications and Organisational Structure
Building a More Creative and Resilient Society (and Business) for the Future
9: Leonardo
Company Overview
Leonardo’s Purpose and Vision
Approach to Developing Leonardo’s Sustainability Strategy
Sustainability-Driven Leadership and Competitive Strategy
The Evolution of Leonardo’s Sustainability Profile and Journey
Leonardo Sustainability Objectives and Pillars
Leonardo’s Sustainability Plan
The Importance of Partnerships and Engaging Stakeholders
Incentives for Management Linked to Sustainability Performance
Industry Recognition and Positioning as a Sustainability Leader
Transparent Approach to Reporting and Communications
Engaging Employees and Fostering a Culture of Sustainability
Sustainability Team, Organisational Structure and a Look Ahead
10: Mercato Metropolitano
Company Overview
The Mercato Metropolitano MMovement
Built on a Foundation of Sustainability
A Company Driven by Its Values
Mercato Metropolitano’s Sustainability-Focused Principles
Sustainability as a Competitive Strategy
The Triple Bottom Line and Measurements of Success
Engaging the Value Chain
Performing a Stakeholder Analysis
Risks and Opportunities
Frameworks and Assessments Used to Guide the Company’s Approach to Sustainability
The Importance of Sustainable Partnerships
Engaging and Empowering Employees to Be Part of the MMovement
Purpose-Driven Leadership
Sustainability-Driven Incentives
Industry Recognition and Rewards
Reporting and Sharing Its Journey with Stakeholders
Approach to Marketing and Communications
Implementing the Company’s Sustainability Agenda and Policies
A Sustainable Organisational Structure
Community Events Aimed at Educating and Engaging Stakeholders on This Journey
11: Sage
Company Overview
Purpose and Values
Sage’s Sustainability Journey
Conducting a Materiality Matrix Assessment
Assessing Risks and Opportunities
Sustainability as a Competitive Strategy
Approach to Reporting and the Triple Bottom Line
Engaging the Supply Chain
A Strategy Built on a Foundation of Purpose and Values
Purpose-Driven Leadership
Defining and Designing Key Sustainability Pillars and Initiatives
Approach to Training and Education
Frameworks Used to Develop Sage’s Sustainability Report
Approach to Non-financial Disclosure and Communications
Sage’s Purpose-Driven Foundation and Initiatives
Sustainability Team Structure
Sage’s Sustainability Journey So Far and a Look Ahead
12: Saint-Gobain
Company Overview
Saint-Gobain’s Purpose, Vision, and Values
Approaching and Designing a Sustainability Strategy
Sustainability as Part of Saint-Gobain’s Competitive Strategy
Saint-Gobain’s Sustainability Profile (Before Developing a Sustainability Strategy)
Reporting and the Triple Bottom Line
Engaging the Supply Chain
Defining What Matters – Performing a Materiality Analysis
Implementation and Training
A Warm Reception – How the Strategy Was Received by Key Stakeholders
Challenges to Developing and Introducing a Sustainability Strategy
Approach to Communication and Disclosure
Sustainability-Driven Incentives and Awards
Sustainability Team Structure
13: Yamamay
Company Overview
Yamamay’s Purpose and Values
Developing a Sustainability Strategy and Report
Yamamay’s Sustainability Profile
Engaging the Supply Chain
Approach to Developing the Company’s Sustainability Reports
Evolving Towards Social Sustainability
The Importance of Measuring and Reporting Progress
Certifications
Approach to Education and Training
Yamamay’s Partnership with the Diana ODV Luisa Romano Association
Steering and Governing the Company’s Sustainability Agenda
Committed to Producing Quality and Sustainable Products
Approach to Marketing and Communications
Frameworks Used to Develop Its Sustainability Strategy and Agenda
Yamamay’s Sustainability Team Structure
14: 10 Golden Rules to Lead the Sustainable Transformation of Business
Rule 1 – Monetise Your Sustainability Strategy
Rule 2 – From Creating Shared Value to Impact
Rule 3 – Sustainability Education Is Key for Success
Rule 4 – You Need to Foster a Culture of Sustainability That Starts with Engaged Leaders, Sustainability Champions and Having the Right Governance in Place
Rule 5 – Sustainability Disclosure Needs to be Robust and Transparent
Rule 6 – Sustainable Transformation Is Data-driven and Digitally Enabled
Rule 7 – Executive Pay Linked to ESG Performance Is the Booster
Rule 8 – Innovation and Sustainability: The Means and the End
Rule 9 – Corporate Sustainability Planning Should Be In House, But Green Marketing and Communication Could Be Partially Outsourced
Rule 10 – Build Your Own Storytelling Aligned with Your Purpose
